An eclectic holiday shopping list has the ability to stump even the most creative Santas. Instead of flying blind on a shopping excursion, consider the following retailers to help find the most elusive gifts this holiday season.
For your friend who is Jewish
Judaica Corner, 2185 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta. 404-636-2473.
The inventory includes a variety of Hanukkah items, including more than 200 menorahs that run the gamut from those with the Georgia Tech logo to metal ones depicting musical notes.
ModernTribe Judaica, 171 Auburn Ave., Suite G, Atlanta. 877-324-1818, moderntribe.com.
This intimate shop carries both artful and playful Jewish-themed gifts from jewelry to apparel to home goods. Its Chalkboard Menorah allows owners to decorate the piece themselves.
Soho Gifts, 5131 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 1010, Norcross, 678-969-9288.
Although it's not strictly a Judaica store, Soho carries a large selection. Star of David jewelry, Hanukkah hand towels and menorahs, from glass to iron, help make up the inventory.
For your friend who celebrates Kwanzaa rather than Christmas
Medu Bookstore, Greenbriar Mall, 2841 Greenbriar Parkway SW, Atlanta 404-346-3263, medubookstore.com.
Medu, an African-American-owned bookstore and gift shop, dedicates a section to Kwanzaa items. Books, CDs, cards and candleholders can be found.
Morrow Florist & Gift Shop, 1250 Mt. Zion Road, Morrow. 770-961-7066, morrowgaflorist.com.
Brighten up a friend's holiday with Kwanzaa-themed arrangements packed with the traditional colors of red, green and black.
Little Shop of Stories, 133A E. Court Square, Decatur. 404-373-6300, littleshopofstories.com.
This popular children's bookstore tucked in the Decatur Square rolls out many Kwanzaa-themed titles among its holiday offerings. Kids can dive into "Li'l Rabbit's Kwanzaa" by Donna Washington and Shane Evans and more.
For the in-law you hate:
Astor Holiday Ice Rink at St. Regis Atlanta, 88 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-563-7900, stregisatlanta.com.
Help get a pesky in-law out of the house by gifting tickets to this snazzy rink at St. Regis Atlanta. It's open Nov. 21 through Jan. 3, including Christmas Day.
Diesel Filling Station, 870 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-815-1820, dieselatlanta.com.
Have the annoying relative unwrap a gift certificate to this burger joint and bar. Last year, it opened at 6 p.m. on Christmas Day and treated customers to twisted seasonal TV fare such as "Bad Santa" and "The Star Wars Holiday Special."
Lake Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. 770-945-8787, lanierislands.com.
If you really want to make sure that unwanted in-law won't be around, book him a vacation package at this resort getaway. Its Winter Adventure Couples Package includes accommodations, admission to the Magical Nights of Light Tour and more.
For your sports-loving friend:
BP Sports Collectibles, 136 S. Park Square, Marietta, 678-355-9990, bpsports.com.
Located on the Marietta Square, this sports memorabilia shop carries a beaucoup of autographed items. Think jerseys, bats, balls and more. Private celebrity athlete signings often take place, including a recent session with Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones.
JT Sports Collectibles Inc., 2145 Roswell Road, Suite 240, Marietta. 770-977-0001, jtsportsatlanta.com.
Low-cost grabs such as a pack of baseball cards or a keychain with your favorite team's logo share store space with high-end autographed collectibles. The latter includes signatures from Mark Richt, Devonta Freeman and Hank Aaron.
College Station, North Point Mall, 1000 N. Point Circle, Alpharetta. 678-566-6988.
Sports apparel and gift items, with an emphasis on SEC football, fill the store's shelves and racks. Keep an eye out for its periodic buy-one-get-one-half-off special on T-shirts and hats.
For your dog or cat loving friend
Furry Tails Pet Shop, 228 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-205-5049, furrytailspetshop.com.
A boutique pet shop for dog and cat owners, Furry Tails blends necessities with gifts for humans. Gift items include cards and magnets featuring animal art by Retro Pets. Feline-shaped soaps might make the cat fanatic in your life purr with delight.
Fido's Market, 5354 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite 202, Alpharetta. 678-240-0440, fidosmarket.com.
The shop offers an assortment of all-natural chews from bully sticks to pork pumpers. Food, toys, collars and leashes, health and beauty products, and beds round out the options.
Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique, 224 Peachtree City East Shopping Center, Peachtree City. 770-703-3037, peachtreecity.splashanddashfordogs.com.
Give the gift of pooch pampering. This dog and cat groomer offers both quick and deluxe bathing, haircuts, pedicures and even doggy spa services. Peruse the boutique for cat and dog food, accessories, treats and more.
For your single woman friend
Vivid Boutique, 133 E. Court Square, Decatur. 404-371-5181, vividdecatur.com.
The owners of this gift shop curate its stock with keen eyes. Jewelry, home goods, art and other items draw passers-by. Current hot commodities include copper cuff bracelets and earrings created by Deanna Shoulders and Georgia-themed wooden signs crafted by George Hanna.
Mori Luggage & Gifts, 10 local locations including 400 Barrett Parkway, Suite 172, Kennesaw. 678-797-1722, moriluggage.com.
The locally owned purveyor of travel goods and gifts stuffs each shop with copious ideas for the lady on the go. Ever-popular Kavu backpacks, rolling suitcases by Rimowa and an assortment of Vera Bradley bags remain popular picks.
T. Boutique, 3719 Old Alabama Road, Alpharetta. 770-753-0646.
Have a gal on your shopping list with an appetite for both luxury and designer brands with contemporary cool? Consider grabbing a Cold Shoulder tunic by Nation Ltd. or a Goddess diamond necklace by LA Stein.
For your boss
Richard's Variety Store. Midtown location at 931 Monroe Drive NE, Suite 113, Atlanta. 404-879-9877; Buckhead location at 2347 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-237-1412, richardsvarietystore.com.
Variety is the keyword here as Richard's has a little bit of everything. Does your boss have a good sense of humor? The Fuzzy Face Photo Frame allows you to give facial hair to someone's mug with the help of tiny magnetic fragments.
The Moog Gallery, 1653 McLendon Ave., Unit B, Atlanta. 404-668-9678, mooggallery.com.
If you have a hip employer who likes to hang uber cool art in the office, consider a piece by artist Dirk Hays. His "new-fangled old timey signs" pop with pop culture.
The Cook's Warehouse. Three locations including 1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 568, Marietta. 770-565-8005, cookswarehouse.com.
This shop has plenty of accessories for your boss' bar. The Chillsner keeps beers cold even after opening. Take the stainless steel tube out of the freezer and slide it into a bottle of brew for a quick chill. It even has a screw top.
For the person who surprises you with a gift, so you need to have stuff on hand
Northside United Methodist Preschool Holiday Gift Show. 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 12; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 13-Nov. 14. Northside Methodist Preschool at Northside Church, 2799 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta. http://giftshow.northsideumc.org.
Organizers put the spotlight on up-and-coming artisans. Locally made gourmet food products, jewelry, clothing and home gifts take center stage.
The Elegant Elf Marketplace. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 7; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 8. Lake Forest Elementary School, 5920 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs. sandyspringssociety.org/elegant-elf.html.
The Sandy Springs Society hosts this annual gift market featuring approximately 80 vendors shilling art, apparel, pottery, jewelry and an exhaustive number of other items.
Work of Our Hands Artist Market. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 20-21; 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 22. The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-365-1000, workofhands.com.
Buy a gift with a good conscience. The show features fine art and crafts created by people affected either socioeconomically or by special needs.
For your devoutly Christian friend
Ten Thousand Villages, 1056 St. Charles Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-892-5307, tenthousandvillages.com/atlanta.
The fair trade retailer offers artisan-crafted home decor and personal accessories from more than 35 countries. Some items feature faith-based themes, including handmade nativity sets created in Guatemala, Haiti, India, Peru, Cameroon and other countries.
Sweet Spirit - Parable Christian Store, 1205 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Marietta. 770-565-7722, parable.com/customer_service/store_information/3284.
A broad range of Christian books, music, DVDs, apparel and more can be found at this locally owned shop. Among the items: nativity scenes, including a vibrantly colored set made of wood.
Two Hearts Gifts & Books, 540 W. Crossville Road, Suite 204, Roswell. 770-642-9991, twoheartscatholic.com.
Give something personal to that Catholic pal of yours. The shop's staff will personalize and laminate prayer cards and custom imprint Bibles for that special touch.
For your vinyl collecting friend
Decatur CD, 356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur. 404-371-9090.
Not only does this shop carry a discerning selection of CDs, music DVDs and Blu-rays, but it also stocks a lot of wax for the vinyl audiophile. New releases include albums by Jimi Hendrix, Ben Folds, David Gilmour and others. The shop does special orders, which typically arrive in a flash.
Fantasyland Records, 360 Pharr Road NE, Atlanta. 404-237-3193.
New and used vinyl — it also stocks CDs, DVDs and posters — can be found for the music lover on your holiday shopping list. Sure it has albums aplenty, but Fantasyland's selection of 45 singles never fails to impress.
Ella Guru Record Shop, 2747 Lavista Road, Decatur. 404-883-2413.
It's all vinyl all the time at this serious record store. Owner Don Radcliffe happily shares his music knowledge and can help you find a hard-to-find platter for that special someone.
About the Author
